May is my favorite time of year to ride in Missouri. No bugs, no heat, sparkling streams and waterfalls are just a few of the reasons why. We attend Cross Country Trail Ride every year and this May was no different. I truly enjoy the meals, guided rides, dances, entertainment and camping on the Jack’s Fork River, a National Scenic Riverway known for its beauty.

For the first few days it rained at night, but the days remained sunny and riding was good. The rivers had a bit of a current, but were safe to cross on horseback. On Tuesday night we were entertained by Riders in the Sky western singers and heard a powerful rain on the roof of the indoor arena. By the concert’s end the rain had diminished and we went outside to the nightly dance. There was still lightening in the area and the sky put on a surreal show 360 degrees around us. When the wind started picking up we thought it best to head for the truck. We reached it just as the storm hit with raindrops the size of silver dollars. Back at the campsite we nestled into our trailer’s gooseneck and listened to the heavy storm, unable to sleep. Many branches hit the trailer with a powerful thud, each time making me fear it would come thru the fiberglass roof. The storm’s intensity lasted for hours and just as I fell asleep I abruptly awoke to the sound of knocking on my trailer door. We heard “You have to move. The river is coming up.” We jumped out of bed, threw on clothes and broke camp. The last task was to load the horses and drive out on the now flooded camp road. The river was rising fast and my heart pounded as we navigated through over a foot of water to the higher side of camp near the dance floor. By the light of a lantern we found some dry stalls and got the horses settled and out of harm's way.

As day broke we realized that it was already time for breakfast to be served in the mess hall. Half way through breakfast I realized that I still had my pajama top on. I was somewhat embarrassed but ready for what was next on my agenda. All I wanted to do after breakfast was go back to bed. My plans quickly changed when I heard the following message over the camp’s loudspeaker “ The entire camp must evacuate due to flooding. You can relocate to the Baptist Church or stone quarry.” 1000+ people started pulling out and a traffic jam followed consisting of trailer after trailer leaving camp. We decided to sit around until the traffic eased only to watch the water approach us again. Soon the water was over my ankle top rubber boots and I had to get in the truck.

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The river and our campground became one. Four-wheel drive was a definite asset. (Click to Enlarge)

By 10:30 we were safely out of camp and on the road. We decided not to stay for the rest of the ride since we feared it would be days before we could return to camp. Tying a four-year-old green horse to my nice trailer for 2 days was not my idea of a good time. We drove three hours to Greensfelder County Park near St Louis where we had several days of great riding and camping before more rain moved in.

We later learned from a friend who stuck it out in Eminence and returned to camp on Thursday that we had made the right decision. The river had left signs of her fury everywhere. Electric telephone poles were leaning over and electric power had been cut off. Two barns were washed away in the flood. Everything was covered in silt and roads had been washed out. Semi trailers that contained hay, oats and bedding for sale had been swamped. The dining hall had been flooded, but cleanup was fast and meals were served Thursday by dinner. The brand new horse trailers for sale near the dining hall had not been relocated and had taken a foot of water in the living quarters.

While the flood cut our vacation short we were glad that the camp owner evacuated us in a timely manner. At no time were we or our horses in danger, but I do have a new respect for the powerful forces of Mother Nature. We later learned that we were not the only ones affected by the rains that hammered Missouri, southern Illinois and southern Indiana. Riders from all over the Midwest had similar stories to share. By the way, as we drove out of camp on the day of the flood I realized that I STILL had my pajama top on!